Last
week I went to France. I visited a small place in southern France called
Castres. I was staying in old castle converted into hotel, keeping the old
tradition of place as it is. I was excited as well as scared to go to France, as I
have heard many stories about French people being rude to English speakers and
make their lives miserable. Trust me it happens a lot in Paris, where most of the
tourists go.

The
place where I was staying had a tradition of no locks in there rooms. When I
came to know about it, my heart skipped a beat. What if I lost my passport (it
means going rounds of Indian embassy office). What if I lost my money, mobile
phone, camera, cloths etc. In panic I went to the manager and explained her my
fears. She laughed it saying in last twenty year, since we have converted this
little castle into hotel there hasn’t been a single theft. Not only in this
castle, but in their tiny village there hasn’t been a reported theft in past 10
years. Honestly I couldn’t believe her. How can that be possible? Later on I
came to know she was the countess daughter running the family business. Her
polite manners and warm nature is worth appreciation.

Another
thing I noticed there wasn’t any CCTV camera’s monitoring the main roads or
place around. I am so use to of CCTV camera’s on roads, supermarkets,
university campus etc, you name the place and it is there every where in UK. Still
theft, burglary and crime rate is pretty higher here. It was unbelievable.
Another shock was to find people buying fresh food from local market, all home
grown vegetables. Supermarkets didn’t look much in fashion. Canned food,
microwave food was missing form most of the local shops. Secret of people
living near Mediterranean, longer and healthy lives.

Living
in modern world where security and protection is most talked thing, Security
camera’s, secure schools, protection from terrorism, and god know what, I went
to another part of western world where life was relaxed and free from nity -
gritty  of today’s world. It was a
wonderful experience.

 I wish all ilanders happy holidays and hope
every one get a chance to explore the world around.